Kimba’s next generation of Country Fire Service (CFS) volunteers is in training as CFS cadets.

As the CFS does not accept volunteers under 16, the cadet program for children between the ages of 11 and 16 allows future volunteers to gain the skills and knowledge needed well before they start attending call outs.

Kimba’s CFS cadet program is run every second Wednesday night by Kimba CFS captain Trevor Clifford and other CFS volunteers.

Mr Clifford said the cadets learnt the same skills as any other fire fighter would but on a smaller scale.

“The cadets learn to operate pumps and hoses, as well as skills for road crashes and rescues,” he said.

Mr Clifford said the program was important for the future of Kimba’s CFS brigade.

“The cadet program is pretty important, a lot of our members came up through the program and some of our past cadets are now lieutenants,” he said.

“Kimba has the youngest brigade in the region in terms of members’ ages and the cadet program hopefully will continue that.”

The cadets work through the program until they are old enough to volunteer and Kimba CFS is still accepting more cadets.

To join, call Trevor Clifford on 0414 422 217 or go along to Kimba’s Emergency Services Centre at 7pm on the night. The next training is on March 14.